Announcements

The Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Grant Program          Dr. Katz led the NIAMD from 1995-2018. This grant program has been established in his honor.          https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-038.html   and https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-039.html          This program has been established to assist early stage investigators in their competition for funding in order  to help embark and sustain an independent research career. The new Katz R01 award program will support innovative ideas from proposed research that is a change in direction from an early stage investigator’s past work and experience, and for which they have no preliminary data.          First due date for applications:  January 26st, 2021

DKMS John Hansen Research Grant – The study of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapies in Hematologic Malignancies ·         The grant is intended to provide financial support to promising young researchers to advance the understanding of complications and therapeutic strategies in the context of hematologic malignancies.          The award is for $270,000 over a period of tree years (max of $90,000/year) Up to four projects will be selected.          The research proposal must address issues on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or cell therapy. Various aspects can be covered, including but not limited to: diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, transplant immunology, stem cell transplantation complications, donor selection or cell manufacturing.          Applicants must have a PhD/MD in a relevant field within the last twelve years.  They do not need to hold a faculty position and can be in training (Fellows, Postdoc Fellows, Jr Faculty)          Application Deadline is December 8th, 2020          Application Instructions: https://www.dkms.org/media/21856          Funding Guidelines: https://www.dkms.org/media/21886

The  Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation – 2020 Request for Proposals          The DTRF funds research that will advance the current scientific knowledge about desmoid tumors, moving toward the development of new treatment options with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.          Award amounts of up to $65,000 per year, with funds going to personnel, supplies, equipment, and/or services. Institutional overhead and indirect costs are prohibited.          Funding duration is a minimum of 1 year.          Submission deadline is December 1, 2020 Application information: https://dtrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Dec-2020-General-RFP.pdf?utm_source=Master+Research+Rundown+%26+Funding&utm_campaign=afeaa8a588-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_14_08_58_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9d8dbeb58a-afeaa8a588-194798043

Additional Internal/External Funding Opportunities: https://ctsi.wakehealth.edu/Funding-Opportunities?utm_source=Master+Research+Rundown+%26+Funding&utm_campaign=dc7c970c1b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9d8dbeb58a-dc7c970c1b-194798127

Upcoming Events 

Hypertension & Vascular Research Journal Club/Research in Progress Date/Time:     Wednesday, Nov 18th – 1:30pm – 2:30pm Presenter:       Kenysha Clear – Graduate Student Talk Title:       “Maternal Treatment with Captopril Persistently Alters Gut-Brain Communication and Attenuates Hypertension of Male Offspring” WebEx Info: https://wakehealth.webex.com/wakehealth/j.php?MTID=mf26da62e9a225278c2a40b3a98fe57c9

Phys/Pharm Virtual Seminar Series – Webex Date/Time:     Thursday, Nov 19th – 4:00pm – 5:00pm Presenter:       Cody Siciliano, PhD                                     Assistant Professor, Pharmacology                                     Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research             Talk Title:       “Circuit-based activity signatures of maladaptive decision making”             WebEx Info:   Meeting #: 171 316 1571                                    Password: mvSftNaj252

Molecular Medicine Journal Club (MMTS 781) – Webex Date/Time: Friday, Nov 20th – 12:15pm – 1:15pm Presenter:       Rabina Mainali                                     2nd year PhD student – Matriculated 2019                                     Mentor: Matthew Quinn, PhD                                     Program: IPP             Talk Title:        “SARS-CoV2-mediated suppression of NRF2-signaling reveals potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory  activity of 4-octyl-itaconate and dimethyl fumarate”                                     Paper Link: file:///C:/Users/rmainali/OneDrive%20-%20Wake%20Forest%20Baptist%20Health/Bariatric%20Sensitivity-%20FY20%20read%20me%20first_10-9-19.pdf WebEx Info:   Meeting #: 171 652 6202 Meeting password: xH9JDQsMH33                                     https://wakehealth.webex.com/wakehealth/j.php?MTID=mcdd0067489e8d00e30f55ac8f4ed2f76  

Recent Publications

Jenson ET, Langefeld CD, *Zimmerman KD, Howard TD, Dellon ES. Epigenetic methylation in eosinophilic Esophagitis: Molecular aging and novel biomarkers for treatment response. Clin Exp Allergy. 2020 Sep 28. [Online ahead of print] PMID: 32986922. https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.13748  

Tan, L, Register TC, Yammani RR. Age-Related Decline in Expression of Molecular Chaperones Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Chondrocyte Apoptosis in Articular Cartilage. Aging Dis. 2020 Oct 1;11(5):1091-1102. PMCID: PMC7505268. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc7505268/  

Tamburrini R, Chaimov D, Asthana A, Enck K, Muir SM, Aziz JM, Lablanche S, Tubbs E, Tomei AA, Van Dyke M, Soker S, Opara EC, Orlando G. Detergent-Free Decellularization of the Human Pancreas for Soluble Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Production. J Vis Exp. 2020 Sep 4;(163). PMID: 32955501. https://doi.org/10.3791/61663  

Sparks MA, South AM, Badley AD, Baker-Smith CM, Batlle D, Bozkurt B, Cattaneo R, Crowley SD, Dell’Italia LJ, Ford AL, Griendling K, Gurley SB, Kasner SE, Murray JA, Nath KA, Pieffer MA, Rangaswami J, Taylor WR, Garovic VD. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, COVID-19, and the Renin-Angiotensin System: Pressing Needs and Best Research Practices. Hypertension. 2020 Nov;76(5):1350-1367.  PMID: 32981369. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.15948  

Sivakumar H, Devarasetty M, Kram DE, Strowd RE, Skardal A. Multi-Cell Type Glioblastoma Tumor Spheroids for Evaluating Sub-Population-Specific Drug Response. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020 Sep 15;8:538663. PMCID: PMC7523412. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc7523412/  

*indicates an author who is affiliated in the highlighted member’s lab 

Member Highlights

Newly awarded grants Graca Almeida-Porada (PI) Pfizer, Inc     09.23.2020 – 08.31.2022 “Human-on-Chip Technologies to Study AAV Gene Therapy for Hemophilia A” The goal of the project is to utilize novel microfluidics-based human body-on-a-chip (hBOAC) technology to define the efficacy and safety of human liver-targeted AAV gene therapy for hemophilia. Co-Investigator: Dr. Colin Bishop  

Mark Cline, DVM, PhD (PI) U01 AI150578 08.01.2020 – 07.31.2027 “The Wake Forest Nonhuman Primate Radiation Survivor Cohort” The goal of this proposal is to identify and study relevant patterns of post-irradiation morbidity and mortality in a controlled, well-defined NHP population, by collaborating and sharing data with qualified investigators. Data sharing and administrative oversight are designed to maximize use of the resource.  

Laura Cox, PhD (PI) NCDRC Pilot 09.01.2020 – 08.31.2022 Analysis of Gene Expression in Diabetic Foot Ulcers by Spatial Transcriptomics” The goal of the study is to determine gene expression signatures of different cell types in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) before and after patients receive treatment to discover potential biomarkers that can predict healing outcome therapies. The ultimate goal is to design a custom spatial gene expression slide to detect the expression of biomarkers in DFU, which could help clinicians make informed decisions on therapy. Co-Investigator: Dr. Jeannie Chan 

Emily Dressler, PhD (Co-Investigator) P30 CA012197-45 (Foley) 09.01.2020 – 08.31.2021 “ATLAS: Alleviating Lung Cancer Disparities through Cancer Control” The overarching goal of ATLAS is to reduce disparities in lung cancer through robust planning for a P01 application. The planning grant will provide dedicated resources for pilot data collection, strategic planning meetings, and project coordination.